26 Sharks You Might Have Not Known (Alphabetical)
- The Mary Word
- Nov 12
- 10 min read
By Serena Wang
Have you ever wondered which shark you’d be most like? Ever wondered about how many sharks there are? Ever wondered how many cool things they do? No? That’s alright! Here are twenty-six sharks, one for each letter of the alphabet, with some notably interesting and impressive species, adaptations, and shapes completely unlike your common Great White shark (not that they aren’t impressive as well). Feel free to find a shark for your initials!
Australian Angel Shark
Size: approximately 100-150cm
Habitat: NSW & Southwest WA, Australia, in coastal waters
Depth: >256m
Reproduction: Birth occurs in autumn, and at most 20 pups can be born in a litter.
Behaviour: They camouflage in the sand of the sea floor. This shark isn’t dangerous, but handling should always be done with care.
Basking Shark
Size: 500-1200cm
Habitat: Coastal temperate waters worldwide.
Depth: Surface level.
Reproduction: Not well known, but they are approximately 1.6m at birth.
Behaviour: They use their mouth as a large filter, targeting zooplankton and krill like the whale shark. Inside their mouth are bristles, like a comb, which catch the tiny particles. The Basking Shark does not attack anything and can sometimes leap from the water. They are migratory.
Chain Catshark
Size: 48-59cm
Habitat: Northwest Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean
Depth: 36-750m
Reproduction: They lay pairs of egg cases that hatch after 7-12 months. Annually, they can lay from 44 to 52 eggs, and the pups are approximately 10cm at birth.
Behaviour: Nocturnal and shy, the chain catshark hides away at the bottom of the sea, making use of its patterns to camouflage. At night, they have biofluorescent tissue to become more visible to other chain catsharks, and have a diet of squid, crustaceans, bony fish, and worms.
Note: This is on my list of one of my favourite sharks. I’ve actually seen catsharks like these in captivity online, and they’re really quite cute and squishy! I’ll also start putting notes for those sharks, too.
Dusky Shark
Size: 300-420cm
Habitat: Coastal/oceanic waters in tropical and temperate oceans.
Depth: 0-400m, but often around 200m
Reproduction: Maturity in females occurs at 20 years old, giving birth every two to three years. Females come closer to the shore to give birth, and quickly move offshore afterwards. Each litter contains 3-14 pups, depending on the region, and they are 70-100cm at birth.
Behaviour: Known for its migratory behaviour, the Dusky shark moves to cooler waters and occasionally follows ships.
Note: Also known as the shovelnose shark, these sharks can actually live up to 50 years! They’ve also been around for a long time, with some Dusky shark teeth fossils from approximately 23-5.3 million years ago.
Epaulette shark
Size: 60-107cm
Habitat: Western Pacific, like North America and Australia
Depth: 0-50m, sometimes in tide pools
Reproduction: They lay pairs of egg cases in coral, about every 14 days. The eggs hatch 120 days later, with pups at around 14-16cm.
Behaviour: The Epaulette shark is also known as the ‘walking shark’, as it can exit the water and travel. In low-oxygen tide pools, it shuts down certain brain functions and directs oxygen to the heart and brain to avoid neuron death, then exits the water to crawl for up to 30m, looking for a higher oxygen area. It cannot breathe during this. It waddles on its excessively large pectoral fins both on land and in the water, though it can swim like a normal shark.
Note: I love this shark so much. Their name comes from their beautiful black spots! As they’re one of the only sharks to be able to walk on land, I am always in awe of this beautiful shark. They’re just so hard to hate – look at their polite smile!
Freckled Catshark
Size: 12-60cm
Habitat: Western Atlantic
Depth: <400m
Reproduction: They lay one egg at a time, with a size of about 12cm at birth.
Behaviour: None recorded.
Note: There is very little information about the Freckled catshark, but they are named after its dots.
Greenland Shark
Size: 240-430cm, but sizes of 600cm have been recorded too.
Habitat: Arctic & North Atlantic
Depth: 0-2000m
Reproduction: They reach maturity at 150 years old, and give birth after 8-18 years of gestation, with varying studies estimating 10 pups per litter and 200-324/700 pups in their lifetime. The pups are 35-45cm at birth.
Behaviour: Due to the cold waters of -2-7 degrees Celsius, the Greenland shark is extremely slow, slowing its metabolism and growth rate as well as its movement speed. However, this also lets them live up to 500 years old with a growth rate of 1cm per year. They scavenge, preferring drowned animals or dead fish. They are blind due to parasites and the darkness of the water, and rely on scent to navigate.
Note: I only recently found out about the Greenland shark! At first, I was planning for the Great White shark instead, but this incredible shark deserved the spotlight more.
Horn Shark
Size: 56-96cm, with a maximum of 120cm.
Habitat: Temperate/subtropical waters near the US in kelp forests.
Depth: 0-152m
Reproduction: They lay two egg cases during their breeding season of February to April, with the eggs hatching after 6-10 months. The pups are 15-17cm at birth.
Behaviour: They do not attack unless repeatedly provoked. This shark is nocturnal and slow, usually solitary, and eats crustaceans, fish, molluscs, etc. Similar to the Epaulette shark, they can crawl on the seafloor, but not above water.
Indonesian Angelshark
Size: >134cm
Habitat: Eastern Indian Ocean
Depth: Presumably the sea floor
Reproduction: None recorded, but assumed to produce eggs like other angelsharks
Behaviour: Likely camouflages on the sea floor.
Note: There’s very little known about this species of Angelsharks, but I find it pretty cute. Angelsharks are really tame and chill!
Jaguar catshark
Size: approximately 30cm
Habitat: Around certain Galápagos Islands, like Darwin Island, Marchena Island, and Fernandina Island.
Depth: 300-550m
Reproduction: None recorded, but assumed to lay eggs like other catsharks.
Behaviour: It feeds on fish and invertebrates at the bottom of the sea.
Kermadec Spiny Dogfish
Size: >72.9cm
Habitat: Tropical waters, only known from Napier Island and Raoul Island in New Zealand.
Depth: approximately 320m
Reproduction: None recorded.
Behaviour: Their diet consists of krill, fish, squid, and crabs.
Note: They’re named after the Kermadec Ridge, which the islands are part of!
Lemon shark
Size: 240-310cm, with a maximum of 350cm
Habitat: Atlantic & Pacific Ocean, on the coast near reefs, mangroves, or islands.
Depth: 0-92m
Reproduction: They give birth after 10-12 months of gestation, with 4-17 pups per litter. They are 50-60cm at birth.
Behaviour: They are nocturnal and travel in groups to provide protection, being very social with others of their kind. Their diet contains bony fish, rays, or smaller sharks. They are actually not aggressive and are often curious about humans, bumping or circling gently. However, if provoked or feeling defensive, the Lemon shark can cause great injury. The only cases of unprovoked attacks were nonfatal and on crowded beaches, which could’ve disturbed the shark.
Note: Bumping things is actually the only way sharks can feel things. It’s the equivalent of feeling around in the darkness with your hand – just that they can’t do that with their fins. Usually, redirecting a curious shark away will be enough, but keep a safe, respectful distance anyway..
Mako shark
Size: 270-320m, with a maximum of 440m
Habitat: Temperate/tropical waters worldwide.
Depth: 0-750m
Reproduction: They give birth to 4-18 pups every three years. They are approximately 70cm at birth.
Behaviour: As the fastest shark in the world, it can swim at speeds of 68km/h. They eat squid, bony fish, or birds, but are mostly opportunistic. The shark approaches its target and suddenly lunges upwards to attack it. Though they are great hunters, they are rarely aggressive to humans, with attacks caused by provocation. The shark typically has no interest in humans.
Note: They’re technically the “Shortfin Mako shark”, but it’s close enough. They are also called the bonito shark!
Nurse shark
Size: 210-240cm, with a maximum of 430cm
Habitat: Atlantic Ocean, at the bottom of reefs.
Depth: 0-130m
Reproduction: They give birth on the coast every two years in litters of 20-30 pups. They are 27-30cm at birth.
Behaviour: It is incredibly calm and sedentary, and not aggressive. If provoked, the Nurse shark can cause injury, but never fatality. They eat crustaceans and molluscs with their vacuum-like mouth. They also do not need to continuously swim to breathe like most sharks, and instead pump water through their gills. They rest in groups during the day in sleeping piles.
Notes: They’re like lazy cats in my opinion. I love them so much.
Ornate Wobbegong
Size: 100-120cm
Habitat: Southern NSW, Queensland, and Papua New Guinea
Depth: 0-100m
Reproduction: They give birth around September, with a litter of 4-18 pups of about 20cm long.
Behaviour: They are nocturnal, using their colouration to camouflage on the reef floor at night. They are assumed to prey on invertebrates and fish.
Note: Wobbegongs are also known as carpet sharks.
Pyjama Catshark
Size: <100cm
Habitat: Southeast Atlantic & Western Indian Ocean
Depth: 0-100m
Reproduction: They lay pairs of egg cases that hatch 5 months afterwards. The egg has tendril-shaped twists that tangle with kelp and rocks to hold it in place. The pups emerge about 15cm long.
Behaviour: They eat crustaceans, small fish, and will hunt octopus too. They are nocturnal, but move during daylight to hunt prey opportunistically.
Note: They’re wearing pyjamas, come on. That’s pretty cute. They’ve got a little snaggle tooth!
Quagga Catshark
Size: 37cm
Habitat: Western Indian Ocean
Depth: 54-187m
Reproduction: Females have been recorded to carry around 4 egg cases, but this is not well researched.
Behaviour: The Quagga catshark feeds on shrimp, and is harmless like other catsharks.
Note: This is the only shark to have a name starting with Q!
Rusty Catshark
Size: 40cm
Habitat: Eastern Indian Ocean, around Australia, in reefs
Depth: 62-164m
Reproduction: They lay pairs of egg cases, and the pups emerge at around 17cm long.
Behaviour: They eat crustaceans and molluscs, hiding in caves during the day and moving at night.
Note: Also known as the rusty carpetshark!
Silvertip shark
Size: 200cm
Habitat: Eastern & Western Indian Ocean, offshore
Depth: 800m
Reproduction: They give birth to 1-11 pups every litter, which are around 65cm at birth.
Behaviour: Their diet consists of medium-sized fish, rays, or smaller sharks. Usually, this shark is found on the sea floor of coastal regions. They aren’t aggressive, but will attack if provoked.
Note: I hadn’t actually seen this shark until writing this, and they’re genuinely so beautiful. I’m pretty sure they have a streak of yellow on their side!
Tasselled Wobbegong
Size: 120cm
Habitat: Eastern Indian Ocean, specifically Northern Australia, and in the Great Barrier Reef.
Depth: 2-50m
Reproduction: None recorded, but assumed to give birth like other wobbegong species.
Behaviour: They eat fish and invertebrates, usually residing on the seafloor. Sometimes, they also hunt other sharks. Using camouflage, they wait for prey to approach, then open their mouth quickly. The change in water pressure sucks the prey into the mouth of the shark, and the prey is engulfed whole.
U
Note: There is currently no shark with a name starting with U!
Variegated Catshark
Size: 44cm
Habitat: Eastern Indian Ocean, on the coast of Australia.
Depth: 30-200m
Reproduction: They lay pairs of egg cases. The biology of their pups or adults is mostly unknown.
Behaviour: Like other catsharks, they are nocturnal and hide in caves.
Note: There’s very little information about this shark. I couldn’t actually find any mention of pups in my sources!
White spotted Bamboo Shark
Size: 95cm
Habitat: Western Indian Ocean, in reefs.
Depth: 0-50m
Reproduction: They lay pairs of egg cases, which hatch about 20 weeks afterwards. The pups emerge at a length of 10-16cm.
Behaviour: They are harmless to humans and can be quite friendly.
Note: This shark is also very common to keep in captivity! Their egg cases look a lot like kelp bul,b, too.
X
There’s also no species beginning with a name starting with X so far!
Yellowspotted Catshark
Size: 68-70cm
Habitat: Southeast Atlantic.
Depth: 26-495m
Reproduction: They lay an egg case, with the pups emerging at a size of under 31cm.
Behaviour: The Yellowspotted catshark moves between inshore and offshore, eating bony fish and crustaceans, as well as squids.
Zebra Shark
Size: 250cm
Habitat: Temperate waters, in the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans.
Depth: 0-90m
Reproduction: They lay leathery eggs, and the pups are 20-36cm at birth (second image).
Behaviour: They usually swim near the surface of reefs, and are much slower during the day due to being nocturnal. Their diet consists of molluscs, bony fish, crustaceans, and sea snakes. They are not aggressive, but can bite if they are feeling defensive.
Note:,, Oh they look so squishy… I’ve seen a bunch of them in aquariums just because they’re so docile, and they’re so elegant at the surface.
That’s all for the alphabet of sharks! However, you might’ve seen that, for one, not every shark has the same amount of information. Part of that is simply from the lack of studies done for these unique species and the difficulty of researching elusive deep-sea species. Another glaring problem – two letters are missing! To make up for that, here are a couple more that I quite like but couldn’t fit in.
Blacktip Reef Shark
Size: 200cm
Habitat: Indian & Pacific Oceans, in reefs
Depth: 20-75m
Reproduction: They give birth after an 8-9 month gestation period, with 2-4 pups per litter. The pups are 33-52cm at birth.
Behaviour: They are migratory sharks, typically in small groups or solitary. Blacktip Reef sharks use socialisation to hunt most efficiently. They eat fish, crustaceans, cephalopods, and molluscs. This shark is rarely aggressive and is simply curious about humans.
Note: This shark is often in aquariums due to their calmer nature! The Blacktip Reef shark has always been my top favourite shark ever, and I’m so glad I get to talk about them. Just look at how polite their face is!
Whitetip Reef Shark
Size: 105-160cm, with a maximum of 213cm
Habitat: Eastern Indian & Eastern Central Pacific Oceans.
Depth: 0-330m
Reproduction: They give birth after a 55-month gestation period, with 1-5 pups in a litter. They are 52-60cm at birth.
Behaviour: They are sluggish, living in lagoons and channels during the day. They move most at night, eating fish, cephalopods, and crustaceans. They are one of the few sharks to sleep motionless, as they gather in oxygen-rich caves and pump water through their gills. The combined movement of all the sharks in the area causes the water to continuously flow, allowing them to sleep without moving.
Common Thresher Shark
Size: <500cm
Habitat: Temperate/tropical oceans worldwide.
Depth: 0-650m
Reproduction: They give birth in litters of 2, and the pups are immediately independent at a length of 150cm.
Behaviour: They are incredibly fast and make use of their disproportionately long tail, which can be 300cm long. They gather a school of fish, then hit the fish with their tail, acting like a whip and picking up speed in the water. At the peak of the motion, the water at the tip of its tail gets so hot it boils, effectively killing the prey.
Note: Also known as the swiveltail or fox shark!
That’s it for all the sharks! Thank you so much for reading about them all, and I seriously hope you found at least some of these cute. I find sharks pretty poorly represented amongst people I know, and it would make me incredibly grateful if I could change your impression of sharks for the better. Have a great day!
https://www.sharkwater.com/shark-database/sharks (information from respective sharks has been taken from this database, but not primarily used)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenland_shark/#Reproduction (sources to the information are also included in this page)
my favorite shark is a lettuce shark
This is peak serena